BSP Pilot Certificate of Competence - new drone exam

Wireless aircraft pilot certificate of competency is a certificate obtained to fly in subcategory A2 of the open category. During the transition period, i.e. from January 1, 2021 to January 1, 2023, drones weighing between 0.5 and 2 kg qualify for this category. The BSP pilot's certificate of competency is not mandatory, so not everyone who owns a drone of this weight must obtain this document.

BSP pilot certificate of competency - who needs to get it

In the A2 subcategory, you can fly without a certificate, under the rules of the A3 subcategory, i.e. maintaining a minimum distance from people and buildings - amounting to 150 m. What this means in practice? It is not possible to fly in the city, in any more populated place or at an event. After obtaining a BSP pilot certificate, this distance decreases to 50 m. Thus, the BSP pilot certificate entitles the drone operator to fly at a shorter distance from people, as well as to fly in the city.

What is the cost of getting your drone certification and where to get your BSP certification?

Unlike A1/ A3 training, BSP certification is not done at the ULC website, but at designated nurseries. The list of authorized entities is continuously updated and available here. The cost of the certificate may vary from nursery to nursery, and the price is about 30 zł. Very cheap for "drone" competence, which one can only be happy about.

Conditions to be met in order to obtain a certificate of competence as a pilot of unmanned aircraft

The prerequisite for obtaining a BSP pilot certificate of competency is to be registered as an operator in the ULC registration system and to have current A1/A3 competencies. In addition, it is required to pass an additional exam (A2) in 3 subjects, at the training center - practical training for the drone, you need to do on a self-study basis, and theoretical training can be done on a self-study basis - materials are provided by the ULC.

The conditions must be met in the following order:

1. Complete the online drone training course and pass the exam in the form of an online test, with theoretical knowledge as for the A1 subcategory (training and exam available after registration on the website ULC).
2. Complete the practical self-study training in operational conditions for subcategory A3 and submit a statement of completion (template to download).
3. Pass an additional theoretical knowledge examination conducted by the competent authority or by an entity recognized by the competent authority of the Member State of registration of the operator of an unmanned aerial system.

We describe the details below.

Drone registration and operator training - point one

In order to register with the system as a pilot or operator, the following is required first creation of a user account - To open it, you will need an e-mail and a phone number, in order to verify the data. Once registered, you get an individual number assigned to the person (not the drone). Then a simple training is done and A1/A3 certification is obtained.

Drone operator training in self-study mode - practical for subcategory A3

The scope of practice self-study includes:

(a) Preparation for UAS operations:

(1) make sure that:

(i) the selected payload is compatible with the BSP used for the operation;

(ii) the zone of operation of the BSP is suitable for the intended operation; and

(iii) The BSP meets the technical requirements of the geographic zone;

(2) identify the area of operations where the intended operation takes place in accordance with the UAS.OPEN.040;

(3) Identify the area of operation with the characteristics of the BSP;

(4) Identify the restrictions published by member states for the geographic zone (e.g., no-fly zones, restricted zones, and zones with special conditions in the vicinity of the operational zone), and, if necessary, obtain authorization from the entity responsible for such zones;

(5) Identify the objectives of the BSP operation;

(6) identify any obstacles and potential presence of uninvolved persons in the area of operations that could impede the intended BSP operation; and

(7) check the current meteorological conditions and forecast for the planned time of operation.

(b) Flight preparation:

(1) Evaluate the overall condition of the unmanned aerial system and ensure that the configuration of the unmanned aerial system is in accordance with the instructions provided by the manufacturer in the manual;

(2) Make sure that all disassembled BSP components are properly secured;

(3) Make sure that the software installed on the BSP and the remote pilot station is the latest software published by the BSP manufacturer;

(4) Calibrate instruments aboard the BSP if necessary;

(5) Identify possible conditions that could jeopardize the planned BSP operation;

(6) Check the condition of the battery and ensure that it is adequate for the intended operation of the unmanned aerial system;

(7) update the geographic awareness system; and

(8) set up a height restriction system, if necessary.

(c) Flight under normal conditions:

(1) using the procedures provided by the manufacturer in the manual, learn how:

(i) perform the launch;

(ii) make a stable flight:

(A) make a hover over a point in the case of a multi-rotor BSP;

(B) make coordinated big turns;

(C) make coordinated tight turns;

(D) make a straight flight at a constant altitude;

(E) make changes in direction, altitude and airspeed;

(F) make a flight following the planned path;

(G) perform the return of the BSP toward the pilot after placing the BSP at a distance that no longer allows the pilot to distinguish its orientation, in the case of a multi-rotor BSP;

(H) perform horizontal flight at different speeds (critical high speed or critical low speed) for fixed-wing BSPs;

(iii) keep the BSP out of no-fly zones or restricted areas unless you have a permit;

(iv) use external references to evaluate the distance and height of the BSP;

(v) perform homecoming procedures - automatic or manual;

(vi) make a landing; and

(vii) perform a missed landing procedure for a fixed-wing BSP; and

(2) maintain sufficient distance from obstacles;

(d) Flight under abnormal conditions:

(i) Directing the flight path of UAS in abnormal situations;

(ii) Dealing with the situation when the positioning device of an unmanned aerial system is damaged;

(iii) managing the situation of intrusion of a person into the area of operations and taking appropriate measures to maintain security;

(iv) managing the exit of the BSP from the zone of operations specified during flight preparation;

(v) managing the intrusion of manned aircraft near the area of operations;

(vi) managing the incursion of another BSP into the area of operations;

(vii) Choosing the right protective mechanism for the situation;

(viii) dealing with the situation of loss of altitude or control of position caused by external phenomena;

(ix) resumption of manual control of the BSP when automatic systems make the situation unsafe; and

(x) management of the procedure in case of link loss.

(e) Briefing, debriefing and feedback:

(i) conduct a summary of BSP operations; and

(ii) identify situations in which an incident report is necessary, and complete the report.

BSP pilot exam

The exam referred to in paragraph 3. can take place online and will be conducted by authorized training centers (list available on the ULC website and continuously updated). Must include at least 30 multiple choice questions. At least 75% of the total score must be obtained to pass. Demonstrate knowledge of technical and operational mitigation measures on the ground concerning, in appropriate proportions, the following areas:

Meteorology:

(I) the impact of weather on BSP operations:

(A) wind (e.g., urban impacts, turbulence);

(B) temperature;

(C) visibility; and

(D) air density;

(II) obtaining weather forecasts;

Performance of the unmanned aerial system in flight:

(I) typical operational envelope of rotorcraft, fixed-wing aircraft and hybrid structures;

(II) mass and balance and center of gravity:

(A) Awareness of overall balance when attaching gimbals and loads;

(B) understanding that payloads can have different properties, which can affect flight stability; and

(C) understanding that every other type of BSP has a different center of gravity;

(III) cargo security;

(IV) batteries:

(A) understanding the power source to prevent potential dangerous situations;

(B) familiarize yourself with the existing different types of batteries;

(C) understanding of terminology used for batteries (e.g., Memory Effect, capacity, c-factor); and

(D) understanding how a battery works (e.g., charging, use, danger, storage); and

Technical and operational risk mitigation measures on the ground:

(I) low speed mode functions;

(II) assessing the distance from people; and

(II) Rule 1: 1.

Obtain a certificate of competence as a pilot of unmanned aircraft

After passing the exam, the training center notifies the ULC with the details of the candidate, providing the exam report and a statement on the completion of practical training.

The applicant receives a certificate of competency as a drone pilot to fly in subcategory A2. The certificate will appear in the BSP pilot's account alongside other privileges previously obtained. The duration and validity of the unmanned aircraft pilot competency confirmed by the online theoretical knowledge exam and the certificate of unmanned aircraft pilot competency shall remain valid for five years.

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